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Hungarian Trio
You have to admit, the newly renovated Royal Conservatory of Music cuts a mean profile.
Just days ago, this was the handsome silhouette of the RCM that I discovered against a morning sky as I did a Tim Horton’s run on Bloor Street at the close of my vacation. Darkened for its first Christmas break after a 3-year renovation*, this slightly doctored image shows off the RCM TELUS Centre’s the grand new central spire, installed in the summer of 2008. The original spire of McMaster Hall was lost over fifty years ago during Hurricane Hazel. One has to admit that this tasteful replacement demonstrates great attention to detail, but where will the poor pigeons roost, I wonder, now that the gaping hole in the roof has been capped off so stylishly?
Here are the sounds of a spontaneous recording made with students during my first teaching day of ’09 – the building was still pretty quiet, and it felt like my students and I practically had the place to ourselves before the new year really kicked into full gear. This is a trio arrangement of a traditional Hungarian folksong that can be found in Abracadabra Flute, a wonderful intro book that I recommend especially to my younger or adult students who are just getting back into playing.
* Faculty, staff and students are settling back in after a three-year relocation, although the renovations continue at 273 Bloor Street – the concert hall is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2009. This is only half the story, rest assured, so check back periodically to see how things are progressing at the Con! And if you haven’t stopped by and are in the area, be sure to wander in and have a look: the RCM’s new digs are a spectacular & tasteful marriage of old and new!
